Stress at work is one of the leading causes of employee sick leave. But how can you recognize when stress on the job becomes too much—and what can you do about it? In this article, we’ll explore the biggest sources of stress in the workplace and which strategies can help manage stress at work in a sustainable way.
Back-to-back meetings, tight deadlines, and picking up extra work for a colleague who’s out sick—stress at work is something we’re all familiar with. To some extent, it’s normal. After all, more than half of German employees say they feel stressed at work. Around a quarter, however, report feeling stressed frequently, experiencing more exhaustion, sleep disturbances, or headaches than their less-stressed counterparts. In these cases, we’re talking about chronic stress—which can make people sick.
That’s why it’s high time to take action on stress management at work. In this article, we’ll show you how. We’ll start by looking at how stress shows up in the workplace, take a closer look at the main sources of stress within organizations and their impacts, and then share practical steps for managing stress effectively.
What Are the Warning Signs of Stress at Work?
The first question HR teams need to ask when tackling stress at work is: How do we even recognize stress in the workplace? In fact, there are some common behaviors that can signal stress—and they’re worth paying attention to when working together.
Sign of Stress #1: Increased Sick Leave
If your team or a specific manager’s team experiences a higher-than-average rate of sick days, it could indicate that the workload is too high.
Sign of Stress #2: Restlessness and Trouble Focusing
Does a colleague seem more distracted than usual when you talk to them? Are they constantly checking messages and emails during conversations? Struggling to focus on one thing is often a sign of being overwhelmed.
Sign of Stress #3: Fatigue and Irritability
People who are under constant stress tend to have shorter tempers and may react more quickly or harshly than usual. They often feel drained and appear tired. If the mood in a team feels tense or strained, it can be a sign that people are under too much pressure.
Sign of Stress #4: Frequent Overtime
According to labor laws, employees should generally work no more than eight hours a day—and for good reason. Consistently working 10-hour days or more isn’t sustainable for the body or mind. Regular overtime can signal an excessive workload and shouldn’t be ignored.
Sign of Stress #5: Team Problems
It’s natural for people to have occasional disagreements. But if bad moods and conflicts persist in a team, it could point to deeper, more serious issues—ones that can lead to stress. Pay attention to how people interact: are there signs of tension, a breakdown in communication, or even social withdrawal? If someone is suddenly pulling away from the group, it could be a sign of stress within the team.
What Are the Main Sources of Stress at Work?
A 2022 survey found that employees in Germany feel most stressed by high performance pressure at work. Other common sources of stress include time pressure, excessive workloads, conflicts with managers, fear of losing their job, poor or unfair pay, issues with colleagues, and intense competition within the company.
Some level of stress at work is unavoidable—and can even serve as a source of motivation. However, it’s important to watch out for stressors that can make people sick. What those are can vary not just from person to person, but also from company to company.
In addition to the factors listed above, some of the most common stressors that can lead to long-term harm include:
- Pressure from customers or clients
- Tasks that don’t match an employee’s skillset
- Team issues such as bullying
- Lack of recovery time (breaks and vacations)
- Overtime
- Boring or meaningless tasks
- Negative feedback
- Frequent restructuring
- Major changes, such as the introduction of new technologies
- Shifting leadership styles
- A toxic workplace culture
- Personal challenges outside of work
- Pre-existing health conditions
Ultimately, the factors that truly matter will vary not only by organization but also by individual.
What Are the Consequences of Stress at Work?
Companies that don’t take action—or don’t do enough—to effectively manage stress in the workplace risk a decline in productivity due to:
- Increasing workloads
- Persistent employee dissatisfaction
- Rising absenteeism (sick leave)
- A negative workplace culture
- A damaged employer brand (hello, employer branding!)
- Higher turnover
- Decreasing customer satisfaction
- Less creativity and innovation
The root of these challenges lies in the negative effects that chronic stress has on people. When we’re constantly stressed, we experience a range of physical and psychological symptoms—many of which contribute directly to the risks outlined above.
Stress at work doesn’t just affect our mood and productivity. It also increases the risk of serious health issues, such as:
Cardiovascular problems, including chronic high blood pressure
- Digestive issues
- Headaches and back pain
- A weakened immune system
- Difficulty concentrating and trouble sleeping
- Exhaustion, depression, and burnout
- Generalized anxiety, up to and including panic attacks
Want to learn more about the causes, symptoms, and effects of stress? Check out our article on stress factors, symptoms, and what you can do about it.
7 Steps HR Can Take to Manage Stress at Work?
Given all the risks associated with workplace stress, it’s in your company’s best interest to take proactive steps toward preventing stress in the office. In the long run, prevention is key—and many of the measures you need are likely already part of your existing occupational health management initiatives.
7 Actions HR Can Take to Manage Stress at Work
- Make Stress and Its Impact a Topic of Conversation
The first step is to raise awareness of stress and its consequences. Start by educating your teams on the potential risks of too much stress at work. An internal campaign could be a great way to kick off a workplace stress management initiative—while showing your employees that their health and wellbeing are a priority for the company. Another option: share regular updates or resources on stress and how to handle it. - Raise Awareness About the Importance of Breaks and Time Off
Whether through an HR campaign or training sessions, make sure as many people as possible understand how crucial rest and recovery are. Highlight the benefits of regular downtime and encourage everyone to take the breaks they need. For example, introducing company-wide meeting-free blocks can help employees step away and recharge. - Train and Support Your Leaders
In many organizations, managers themselves can be a source of stress. That’s why it’s especially important to offer stress management training for leaders—and integrate the topic into your leadership development programs. When managers set a positive example, recognize stress in their teams, and take proactive steps to reduce it, other measures are more likely to succeed. Managing stress at work should be a leadership priority. - Offer Support at the Individual, Team, and Organizational Levels
One-on-one conversations remain one of the most effective ways to address stress at an individual level. But HR teams today also have access to a wide range of digital tools that can help create the conditions for successful stress management. Platforms like Likeminded, for example, empower people with the knowledge and resources they need to strengthen their resilience and build long-term prevention strategies—so stress doesn’t become a problem in the first place. - Build a Positive Communication Culture
Good communication is key to managing stress. Many companies already offer communication skills training—but linking it directly to the topic of stress can raise awareness and help teams develop healthier communication habits. An open, transparent communication culture can also strengthen team dynamics and improve leadership practices across the organization. - Promote Individual Time Management Skills
Stress often stems from time pressure. Good time management can make a big difference in reducing stress at work. Flexible working models, for example, can ease the pressure of morning drop-offs for parents. You can also support employees with time management training to help them prioritize and plan their days more effectively. - Regularly Monitor Stress Levels Across Your Organization
Some periods of the year are naturally more stressful than others—whether for specific departments or company-wide. To identify whether stress levels are becoming unhealthy—whether for individuals, teams, or the entire organization—it’s important to check in regularly. These conversations help employees recognize when stress is becoming an issue and give HR teams valuable insights into the overall health of the organization.
5 Things Employees Can Do to Manage Stress at Work
Managing stress at work isn’t just the company’s responsibility—employees have a role to play too. Here are some practical tips to help individuals navigate workplace stress more effectively:
- Prioritize Work-Life Balance
The magic word here is time management. Learn to set priorities and, for example, block out meeting-free time in your calendar. - Schedule and Take Breaks
Use your vacation days and be mindful of working too much overtime. You can also proactively schedule regular breaks throughout your day. - Find Active Ways to Recharge
Move your body regularly—even small steps count during the workday. Mindfulness exercises or short meditation sessions can also help you pause, reset, and refocus during stressful moments. - Prioritize Sleep
Avoid sleep deprivation and establish healthy sleep habits that work for you. - Speak Up
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to your colleagues and managers. Speaking up helps not just you, but also gives others the opportunity to create positive change.
